"The NLECTC system consists of facilities across the country that are colocated with an organization or agency that specializes in one or more specific areas of research and development. Although each NLECTC facility has a different technology focus, they work together to form a seamless web of support, providing technology assistance, support, and information."[2]

Centers

Provides information and referral services to anyone with questions about law enforcement and corrections equipment or technology;

Oversees the equipment standards and testing program to ensure that law enforcement and corrections equipment is safe and reliable;

Reviews and analyzes testing data and publishes test results and consumer product reports designed to help justice system officials make informed purchasing decisions;

Publishes TechBeat, the award-winning quarterly newsletter that highlights technology breakthroughs and applications; and

Operates JUSTNET, a website that provides links to the entire NLECTC system and a gateway to other technology sites. JUSTNET assists those seeking information about equipment, technology, or research findings.

NLECTC-Northwest, located in Anchorage, AL, was founded in 2001 in partnership with Chenega Technology Services Corporation, a technology support company experienced in providing Information Technology support to America's military organizations and private corporations. It identifies, evaluates, demonstrates and assesses technology applications for State and local law enforcement and corrections agencies. They also manage joint technology programs applicable to law enforcement and corrections missions.

NLECTC-Rocky Mountain, located at the University of Denver in Colorado, focuses on communications interoperability and the difficulties that often occur when different agencies and jurisdictions try to communicate with one another. This facility works with law enforcement agencies, private industry, and national organizations to implement projects that will identify and field test new technologies to help solve the problem of interoperability. In addition, NLECTC-Rocky Mountain houses the Crime Mapping and Analysis Program, which provides technical assistance and capacity building to State and local agencies in the areas of crime and intelligence analysis and geographic information systems. Sandia National Laboratories has been designated as a satellite of NLECTC-Rocky Mountain and works in partnership with NLECTC to focus on technologies for detecting and neutralizing explosive devices.

NLECTC-West is co-located with its host, the Aerospace Corporation, in El Segundo, California. The nonprofit corporation provides technical oversight and engineering expertise to the Air Force and the U.S. Government on space technology and space security systems. NLECTC-West draws on Aerospace Corporation's depth of knowledge and scientific expertise to offer law enforcement and corrections personnel the ability to analyze and enhance audio, video, and photographic evidence. This NLECTC facility also has an extensive array of analytic instrumentation to aid in criminal investigations, such as a scanning electron microscope and a mass spectrometer; these instruments can be used to process trace evidence. The Center's other focus areas include computer forensics, communications systems, and technologies to stop fleeing vehicles.